The Unexpected Reason Lamine Yamal Lost the Ballon d'Or

Rodri May Have Cost Lamine Yamal Crucial Ballon d'Or Votes

The 2026 Ballon d'Or results are still generating debate. After Lamine Yamal finished third behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, France Football's editor-in-chief revealed a surprising factor that may have hurt the Barcelona star's chances: his Spain teammate Rodri may have taken crucial votes away from him.

Vincent Garcia, France Football's editor-in-chief, explained that Spain's triumph at the 2026 World Cup led to a split in support among the national team's biggest stars. While some journalists backed Yamal, others favored Rodri, who eventually finished fourth in the rankings.

That division may have been particularly costly for the teenager, who was hoping to become the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history. Although he missed out on the main prize, Yamal still made history by claiming his third consecutive Kopa Trophy.

France Football Explains How Rodri Hurt Lamine Yamal's Chances

Speaking to L'Équipe, Garcia suggested that the distribution of votes among Spain's World Cup winners influenced the final standings. "I think Rodri took votes away from Lamine in this ballot," he explained, pointing out that Spain's collective success made it difficult for voters to identify one outstanding individual.

According to Garcia, Spain stood out more as a team than through one dominant individual performance, leading journalists to divide their support among several players. However, his comments remain an interpretation of the voting patterns, rather than proof that Yamal would have won the Ballon d'Or without Rodri in contention.

Harry Kane Beat Kylian Mbappé by an Extremely Narrow Margin

The split Spanish vote wasn't Garcia's only revelation. The France Football chief also confirmed that the battle between Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé was remarkably close, with an even smaller margin than one of the award's most controversial recent races.

Garcia revealed that fewer than 41 points separated Kane and Mbappé, compared with the 41-point gap between Rodri and Vinícius Júnior in 2024. The Real Madrid forward reportedly led the voting for much of the count before Kane eventually overtook him, becoming the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

Lamine Yamal Continues His Pursuit of a First Ballon d'Or

Despite finishing third, Lamine Yamal once again established himself among the world's best players. The Barcelona winger played a major role in Spain's World Cup triumph and continued to shine at club level, although his performances were not enough to finish ahead of Kane and Mbappé.

His third Kopa Trophy adds another historic achievement to an already remarkable career. But Garcia's comments have also reignited questions about how collective success influences individual awards, particularly when several teammates compete for the same honor.

How the Ballon d'Or Vote Unfolded

• Rodri may have taken votes away from Lamine Yamal, according to Vincent Garcia's interpretation of the 2026 Ballon d'Or results.
• Harry Kane defeated Kylian Mbappé by fewer than 41 points, after the French forward had led for much of the count.
• Lamine Yamal finished third and won his third Kopa Trophy, while Rodri placed fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

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